Five Free Ways to View Art in Florence, Alabama

Florence, Alabama, is a small city along the Tennessee River with big cultural diversity. As a college community and a rising star in the South's fashion, art, and music industries, Florence has something for everyone on a small scale. Rich with history and culture, Florence is a great place to visit, but what I enjoy most about Florence is its drive to keep the arts alive and growing in its downtown area.

If you're planning a visit to Florence, Alabama, or you're a resident of the surrounding areas with a taste for art, perhaps you'd enjoy visiting these locations. Here are the best places in Florence to view and buy art from local and visiting artists:

The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama's Art Department hosts a gallery for visiting artists as well as student showcases. This is a great place to see outstanding work from rising local stars who are taking classes with the department. While I was participating as a student in the department, I found that the gallery was a fantastic place to take family and friends visiting the school, and it also served as a fun place to get free food and socialize during parties for gallery openings.

For information on what galleries are showing and the gallery's opening and closing times, call the Department of Art at 256-765-4384.

The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

217 East Tuscaloosa Street

Whether you're with a group or an individual, The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is a fantastic little art gallery for everyone. The last time that I visited, I was fortunate enough to view a prized visiting artist's work as well as art contest entries from the students of the surrounding school systems.

The Center houses the main office for the all of museums and buildings in Florence listed under Historical Places, so, if you have a question about what to see next in Florence, ask while you're at The Kennedy-Douglass Center.

Shops of Downtown Florence

The downtown area is littered with rented stores that have been made into temporary art galleries by local artists. These are great places to view art.

Downtown Florence is a wonderful place to view local and student art. Shops, from clothing stores to the local wine shop, are all willing to take in art pieces. Most of the art on their walls is for sale. Artists of Florence in need of a display without the means for a gallery often times ask the shop owners to help sell their art works. If the shop owner approves of the piece, it's put on their wall.

So, while you enjoy a day of shopping and dining in downtown Florence, keep an eye on the walls.

First Fridays

First Fridays are another great way to view the art community without leaving the downtown area. On the first Friday afternoon of the month, from about May to December, Florence hosts its popular First Fridays events. With music in the air and art displays littering the sidewalks of the downtown area, First Fridays are the perfect place to view and buy art from University students, the University Art Department, local folk artists, and visiting artists from other areas of the South. Expect to find a little of everything for sale on First Friday: homemade handbags, homemade jewelry, acrylic and oil paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, etc.

Annual Festivals: The Renaissance Faire and The W.C. Handy Festival

Festivals are another great way to view and shop for art in Florence, Alabama. At the Renaissance Faire and W.C. Handy Festival, local arts gather amongst the other sellers to display their works to individuals visiting the city of Florence. From paintings to screen-printed shirts to art dolls, the variety is usually outstanding at the different festivals in Florence. Also, the Renaissance Faire displays the winners of the Fall art contest for the surrounding public and private schools.

The W.C. Handy Festival takes place at the end of July, and the Renaissance Faire takes place during the last weekend of October. Both events are annual and free to visitors.

Sources:

Personal Knowledge

http://www.una.edu/art/gallery.html

http://www.florenceal.org/cultural/artsandmuseums.html

http://www.firstfridaysflorence.com/

http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/

http://www.alarenfaire.org/